Vyyoble Candidates

Name: Wayne Davis
Title: CEO, Vyyo Inc.              
Age: 54
Years in Industry: 28
Years left in Industry: “Some days it seems like too many; but most days it seems like there are not enough.”

Name: Jim Chiddix     
Title: Vice Chairman, Vyyo; Vice Chairman, OpenTV
Age: 62
Years in Industry: 35
Years left in Industry: “It’s still fun, so there’s some time left!”

Why Them? As cable operators try to eke more bandwidth out of their existing plant in order to compete with telcos and attack commercial service markets, Davis’ Vyyo has grown in importance and status. Its 3GHz spectrum overlay technology continues to turn heads, and Davis has so far inked deals with Cox and Starhub. The addition this year of former OpenTV CEO Jim Chiddix to the board—as vice chairman—helps Vyyo gain access to his vast array of contacts. In addition, Chiddix remains vice chairman of OpenTV as he helps to guide Vyyo. Don’t expect him to start slowing down any time soon.  MG

Wayne Davis

The cable industry’s biggest challenge in 2008 is: “Addressing a cost effective way to respond to the growing demands of competition and the requirements for bandwidth.”
Defining career moment: “1987, when I received the Jones Intercable ‘Medallion of the Alliance’ (only a handful ever were presented), and the company’s ‘Engineer of the Year’ award.”
Person I most admire in the cable industry and why: “Glenn R. Jones. He created an environment in which leadership was encouraged and fostered. He exemplified true leadership: He was an individual you wanted to follow.”
Top personal achievement in 2007: “Taking the reins of Vyyo Inc as CEO.”
In my free time, I like to: “Free time??? Actually, I most enjoy spending time with my five grandchildren.”
Favorite city: “Saratoga Springs, NY”
Favorite song: “Comfortably Numb” – Pink Floyd
I wish cable would: “Become more entrepreneurial again. Consolidation has hindered speed and innovation.”

Jim Chiddix

I knew the cable industry was for me when: “Waianae Cablevision, a rural system in Hawaii, offered to actually pay me to stay in Paradise and surf (and occasionally work as a service tech)!”
The cable industry’s biggest challenge in 2008 is: “Outstripping increasing competition (but cable has a big advantage with its ubiquitous presence, its “triple-play” bundle and breadth of programming).”
The coolest new cable tech is: “Time Warner Cable’s “Start Over” service… unique, intuitive and valuable to customers.”
Defining career moment: “Being inducted into the Cable Hall of Fame this year, a great honor.”
In my free time, I like to: “Take bicycle trips with Trudy. Vietnam is next on our list.”
Favorite restaurant: “Luella, our neighborhood spot in San Francisco.”
Favorite city: “San Francisco”
Favorite sports team: “Colorado Rockies”

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